Cooper Cronk kicked a long-range drop goal in the 75th minute to snatch a dramatic 21-20 victory for Queensland in the third and deciding State of Origin match in Brisbane, and secure the series for a record-extending seventh year.

Cronk, a 28-year-old Melbourne Storm scrum-half, has had to wait to become an automatic Origin selection for the Maroons, inevitably playing second fiddle to Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston who have formed one of the game's greatest ever half-back combinations for both state and country.

But the retirement of Lockyer last autumn handed him the chance to form a new partnership with Thurston, and they were the key figures as Queensland maintained their domination of New South Wales.

The Blues took an 8-0 lead through an early Todd Carney penalty followed by a Brett Morris try, which Carney converted. But Queensland hit back through a Darius Boyd try, then Thurston made a long-range break to set up an attack which he finished himself after Corey Parker appeared to have taken the wrong option.

Thurston's conversion nudged the Maroons 10-8 ahead, and they extended that lead with a controversial try from the Brisbane Broncos centre Justin Hodges, who ran behind a team-mate and was fortunate that the video referee ruled the New South Wales defence were not impeded.

The Blues responded with a try from the Manly full-back Brett Stewart, set up by Robbie Farah's delicate kick, to set up a compelling second half. Queensland were well on top, but terrific defence restricted them to two Thurston penalties, and Morris's twin brother, Josh, then scored a brilliant try in the right corner with less than 10 minutes remaining. Carney curled over the conversion to equalise at 20-20, but Cronk then struck the decisive blow from 40 metres out.

Queensland's win made it a fitting farewell to State of Origin rugby for Petero Civoniceva, the veteran Fiji-born Brisbane prop who is to retire at the end of the season. "Every time you've played your heart out," the Maroons captain, Cameron Smith, said to Civoniceva afterwards. "We love you."